We got all the way back to our car before spotting a pair of Sandhill Cranes at Orlando Wetlands. They were pecking in the leaf debris in the walkway to the old office building.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
Once the Pied-bill Grebe was on his own with the crayfish he did a slow paddle…
… with his lunch just dangling.
Then he dunked it…
…maybe rinsing it
then it was down the hatch!
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This Pied-bill Grebe seemed keenly aware of the two Coots when he surfaced with a large crayfish.
He kept circling away from them…
…and finally turned up the pedal power and swooshed away from them.
He bobbed back to the surface, continuing to swim while he hung on tight to his lunch.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
An island, or maybe just a tree line, where most of the palm trees are dead or dying. The morning we were there started out foggy and the Black Vultures were slow to get into the air. A few started flapping their wings, perhaps to warm up. At least one Roseate Spoonbill silhouette was visible and a Wood Stork flew by. It was quite spectacular.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
A Common Gallinule stood on a lump of vegetation, creating a near perfect reflection.
Until a Little Blue Heron flew in and the Gallinule moved on.
The Little Blue was in hot pursuit…
…of a dragonfly.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
There’s not much for a bird to do once the nest has been made and the eggs have been laid. (I didn’t see eggs but the one Spoonbill laying down is a good indication that they are there. )
Just preen and wait if you don’t have egg duty.
Just snooze if you do.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
Normally quite shy and seen only as a glimpse in tall marsh grass, this Limpkin stood on the boardwalk railing while several people passed him.
He did a bit of grooming…
then a nice pose.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
I did not think this Limpkin would nail his landing, expecting him to flutter on down to the ground.
He surprised me with a shift of his weight, flap of his wings and he was back upright.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This pair of Sandhill Cranes nonchalantly wandered out of the marsh/tall grass to my left.
I knew they were around so wasn’t totally surprised, but didn’t expect them to just start preening on the trail.
I got a nice look at how flexible their necks are.
And that gorgeous red eye patch.
After I passed by they separated a bit, but I noticed looking back that the pair stayed pretty close together.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
December 30, 2023
